How to Dry-kran: Hating Songkran is no excuse to hide this holiday

Photo: Zanyasan Tanantpapat

Think waterfights are for low-class backpackers or attention-seeking tweens? If you’re in that I-Hate-Songkran phase of life or just aquaphobic, here are some options for the hated holidays besides hiding at home to sleep, eat and sleep.

After all, staying at home watching movies or digging into those forgotten books from the National Book Fair will really put the hurt on the electricity bill.

SOAK YOUR BRAIN IN CULTURE: A number of art galleries will remain open during the long holidays:

Ballad Of A Thin Man: Follow Kornkri Jianpinidnan’s journey through India at 338 OIDA Gallery Bangkok (near MRT Lumpini). The exhibition features images and texts in a contemporary nirat style, a genre of Thai travel poetry.

Silver Studio: If a four-year-old travelogue ain’t hip enough, appreciate 30 years of black and white photography ago at Nico Sepe’s exhibition at RMA Institute (near BTS Phrom Phong) from now through April 27.

  

My Memory: For Phra Nakon residents or culture-digging caffeine addicts, Dialogue Coffee and Gallery (closed Mondays) presents water color paintings by Chairoj Kimhay.

Although Jam Factory will be closed from Monday through Wednesday, you can still go and enjoy its art gallery, as well as coffee and books at Candide Books this weekend.

 

SOAK YOUR CREDIT CARDS IN DEBT: “Give me air-conditioned malls or give me death!” you say? Fine, you know Bangkok’s got you covered:

Shop for handicrafts and more at Terminal 21’s OTOP Songkran Festival 2014 from Saturday to April 20. The event features an OTOP product exhibition and traditional Thai music, dance and puppetry. Central World’s Bangkok Songkran Festival 2014 runs Sunday to Monday, with the mall’s outdoor area divided into different, fun zones. Check out performances by Da Endorphine, Singto Namchok, Modern Dog, Joey Boy, Mild and Big Ass. If a little animal exploitation excites you, then experience Songkran at The Circle Ratchapruk (a 15-minute ride from BTS Bang Wa) where you can also build sand castles, play fair games and watch an elephant show Saturday through Wednesday. A “traditional” (according to Ministry of Culture) version of Songkran will be on display at Siam Square in the form of Songkran Mesa Pha Khao Ma Ruam Thai or “Songkran Harmony Loincloth,” featuring dance and folk plays from northeastern Thailand from Sunday to Tuesday.

SOAK ’EM IN BLOOD: Lastly, you can help others and get a sweet T-shirt by donating blood at the Thai Red Cross Society on Henry Dunant Road (nearby MRT Sam Yan). The society recently put the call out that it is in serious need of some your delicious blood.

 

 



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